Phyllis Coates facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Phyllis Coates
Coates in The Incredible Petrified World (1959)
Born	Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell (1927-01-15)January 15, 1927 Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S.
Died	October 11, 2023(2023-10-11) (aged 96) Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Gypsy Stell
Alma mater	Los Angeles City College
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1944–1996
Known for	Adventures of Superman Lois Lane
Spouse(s)	Richard L. Bare ​ ​ (m. 1948; div. 1949)​ Robert Nelms ​ ​ (m. 1950; div. 1953)​ Norman Tokar ​ ​ (m. 1955, divorced)​ Dr. Howard Press ​ ​ (m. 1962; div. 1986)​
Children	3

Phyllis Coates (born Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell; January 15, 1927 – October 11, 2023) was an American actress. She had a long career that lasted over 50 years. She is best known for playing the brave reporter Lois Lane. She played Lois in the 1951 movie Superman and the Mole Men. She also played her in the first season of the TV show Adventures of Superman.

Early Life and Education

Phyllis Coates was born Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell on January 15, 1927. Her hometown was Wichita Falls, Texas. Her parents were William Robert Rush Stell and Lorraine "Luzzie" Jack Teel. After finishing high school in Odessa, Texas, she moved to Los Angeles with her mom. She later went to Los Angeles City College.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting on Stage

Phyllis Coates first used her birth name, Gypsy Stell. She was discovered by a comedian named Ken Murray. He taught her how to be funny and time her jokes. She then performed as a dancer and comedian in his variety show called Blackouts. She also worked as a showgirl for Earl Carroll and toured with a USO show.

Film Roles and Serials

Phyllis Coates started working with 20th Century Fox when she was 17. This was on July 13, 1944. She signed a seven-year contract with the studio.

She often played the wife of the main character in short comedy films. She also acted in exciting film series called "serials." These included Jungle Drums of Africa (1953) and Panther Girl of the Kongo (1955). Some of her other movies were Girls in Prison (1956) and I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (1957).

Television Appearances

Phyllis Coates appeared in many TV shows. In 1952, she was in the first episode of Death Valley Days. She also appeared in The Lone Ranger in 1953.

In 1958, she played Clarissa Holliday in the comedy show This Is Alice. She was in all 39 episodes. Coates also guest-starred in three episodes of Perry Mason. She was also seen in Rawhide and Gunsmoke.

Playing Lois Lane

Coates as Lois Lane in Superman and the Mole Men (1951)

Phyllis Coates became famous for playing Lois Lane. She played this role in the first season of Adventures of Superman. Another actress, Noel Neill, took over the role later. This was because Coates was not available for the second season.

Phyllis Coates continued to act in many movies and TV shows. She appeared in westerns and other films. She also kept acting in the "McDoakes" short films until 1956. Some of her well-known films from the 1950s include Blues Busters and Panther Girl of the Kongo.

Later Career and Return to Acting

In the 1960s, Adventures of Superman became very popular in reruns. Phyllis Coates, like other actors from the show, tried to move away from her Superman role. She worried it might limit her future acting jobs.

By the mid-1960s, she mostly retired to focus on her family. She married a doctor named Howard Press in 1962. After their divorce in 1986, she started acting more often again. One important role was in the 1970 film The Baby Maker.

In the 1990s, Coates agreed to appear in the TV show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. She played Lois Lane's mother in the first season finale. Interestingly, Noel Neill, who also played Lois Lane, had played Lois's mother in the 1978 Superman movie.

Personal Life

Phyllis Coates was married several times. She married director Richard L. Bare in 1948, but they divorced in 1949. She then married jazz pianist Robert Nelms in 1950. They had a daughter before divorcing in 1953.

Phyllis Coates passed away on October 11, 2023. She was 96 years old. She died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Phyllis Coates para niños